The fifth Linwood CBC was held today, December 28. 19 hardy observers gave the circle perhaps the best coverage yet and as a result many species were recorded in record highs. 51 species were found today (not quite beating the 54 in 2008), plus at least two count week species to-date.
3 new species for the count were found: Gadwall (1 male below Conestogo Reservoir), Lapland Longspur (5 individuals found by three different parties), and White-crowned Sparrow (1 bird at a feeder in the town of Glen Allan) bringing the five-year total to 77. Other unusual species included: American Wigeon, Red-shouldered Hawk (present for its eighth winter), Short-eared Owl (2), Common Raven, Bohemian Waxwing (71), White-throated Sparrow (2), and Hoary Redpoll. Raptors are always one of the highlights of the Linwood CBC and this year was no exception: Bald Eagle - 1 Sharp-shinned Hawk - 5 Cooper's Hawk - 7 Rough-legged Hawk - 120 (new high) Red-tailed Hawk - 75 American Kestrel - 10 Other species of interest: Snow Bunting - 2883 Common Redpoll - 79 If you would like any additional information about the results please contact me privately. Mike Burrell [email protected] _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/

